Aquilegia canadensis L.

Stems 15-90 cm. Basal leaves 2×-ternately compound, 7-30 cm, much shorter than stems; leaflets green adaxially, 17-52 mm, not viscid; primary petiolules 17-93 mm (leaflets not crowded), glabrous or pilose, sometimes somewhat viscid. Flowers pendent; sepals divergent from floral axis, red or apex green, lance-ovate to oblong-ovate, 8-18 × 3-8 mm, apex broadly acute to acuminate; petals: spurs red, straight, ± parallel to divergent, 13-25 mm, stout (at least proximally), abruptly narrowed near middle, blades pale yellow or yellow-green, oblong to rounded, 5-9 × 4-8 mm; stamens 15-23 mm. Follicles 15-31 mm; beak 10-18 mm. 2 n = 14.

Rocky, wooded or open slopes and sometimes in swamps. Shaded or open woods, often around cliffs, rock outcrops, and forest edge, sometimes in swamps; at elevations from sea level to 1,600 metres.

CAUTION: This plant is recorded as poisonous. The roots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They can also be sliced and fried. They can be dried and stored.

Plants can be grown by seeds or by division of the roots. The seedlings are easy to transplant.